Najafi Q&A: Rulings of Punishments

Answer

In the name of Allah, be informed my dear son, the comprehensive Sharia has established the boundaries for crimes and sins, and the legitimate Muslim ruler must implement these boundaries firmly and dutifully. Islam considers apostasy from Islam, for one who was born a Muslim, to be punishable by death. Why do you doubt this, my son, while Allah, the Almighty, has said, "Whoever desires a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted by him" and He has also said, "And whoever of you reverts from his religion [to disbelief] and dies while he is a disbeliever - for those, their deeds have become worthless in this world and the Hereafter, and those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally." We have been commanded to engage in jihad against the disbelievers, regardless of who the Imam or the Commander of the Faithful is. The Imam, as the leader of the believers, implemented the ruling of Allah, the Almighty, which is the essence of justice. Furthermore, be informed, my son, that it is well-known in the world that any state does not accept rebellion from anyone in its society who seeks to sabotage the nation. Such a person is considered a traitor deserving of the harshest punishments. Preserving the system and the security of the state is considered more important than the life of any individual, although the state provides the people with some of their necessities according to its capacity. In light of this, Allah, Almighty, has created the universe and everything in it as sustenance for humanity. Allah, the Almighty, has said, "He has created for you all that is on the earth" and other verses indicate that all creatures are created as a favor, mercy, and provision from Allah for His servants and the lives of those who came before us. Revolting against Allah and disobeying His commands is considered an offense and an attempt to sabotage the divine legislative and constitutional system, as indicated by many verses. As an example, the barren she-camel of Prophet Salih was the cause of the destruction of the people, and the audacity of the people of Prophet Noah (PBUH) was the reason for the perishing of most of humanity in the flood. Thus, the one who disobeys Allah's commands, especially the one who rejects the religion from its foundation, is working to undermine the legislative and constitutional system. In this sense, the Master of Martyrs (Imam Hussein) (PBUH) referred to this in his supplication of Arafah, highlighting the compassion of Allah towards His servants and the rebellion of some people against Him, saying, "They consume Your provision while worshipping other than You." This does not only refer to the provisions of food and clothing, but it also encompasses every aspect of human life as a provision from Allah, the Almighty. Therefore, the rebel who betrays the divine system and the divine state deserves punishment in proportion to the magnitude of their sin and their abandonment of Islam. The preservation of the divine system and the divine state justifies the harshest punishments, and in the hands of the Commander of the Faithful, the only action taken was execution, solely for the sake of preserving the divine system and state. As for the remaining punishments, they await him on the Day of Resurrection in the fire of Hell. There is no power except with Allah, the Most High, Almighty. Allah is the Guide.